Hondo (Shimoshima) – Matsushima (Maeshima)
Ferry to Kyushu
Hondo (Shimoshima) – Matsushima (Maeshima)
Ferry to Kyushu
You can easily find cheap ferry tickets with our Deal Finder. We recommend booking in advance to get the best possible prices and availability. You can also check out our Special Offers page for the latest deals on Hondo (Shimoshima) ferries.
Yes, Direct Ferries offers a wide range of discounts all year around. When searching for ferries, senior discounts will be automatically applied if they are available. Just select your age range from the passenger options.
Students and graduates can get a 5% discount on ferry tickets. To take advantage of the discount, you need to register with our partner Student Beans and confirm your student or graduate status. You will then receive a discount code which can be entered during the payment process.
Resident discounts are available on a variety of Spanish and Italian ferry routes. Just click on the "Residents" option when this is displayed in our Deal Finder. The discount is automatically applied to the price. Bear in mind that proof of registration or an identity card with the correct address must be shown at check-in.
Travel requirements can vary depending on the route, so it's important to check what documents you'll need before sailing. In most cases, a valid passport is required when traveling from Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsushima (Maeshima), along with any necessary visas or national ID cards. Requirements may differ based on your nationality and the destination country’s regulations. To avoid delays at check-in, you can find helpful information for your journey in our Check-in, Travel Documents & Tickets guide and in our blog post on tips and tricks for international travel.
Book your ferry tickets online with Direct Ferries using our Deal Finder. Just enter your departure and arrival ports and the date you’d like to travel to see all available options and prices. You’ll also be able to view alternative routes and times, so you can find the best deal to suit you.
Look out for early booking discounts or special ticket options such as upgrades or flexi-tickets that allow you to change or cancel your booking. To make your sailing as smooth as possible, make sure you enter all the required information correctly, such as number of passengers and vehicle specifications.
Once you’ve finalised your booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email. It depends on the ferry operator you book with as to how your boarding pass is issued and collected.
Whilst some ferry operators issue the boarding pass as soon as your booking is confirmed, others may ask you to check in at the port. There’s also the option for online check-in, which can be easily done via the Direct Ferries app, if available.
The ticket desks are usually located near the ferry terminals. To avoid any delays at the port, we’d recommend allowing some extra time to collect your tickets and to check-in.
During check-in, you must show your email confirmation, as well as an official photo ID, such as a passport or identity card. You might also be asked to provide documentation for your pet (vaccines, pet insurance etc.) or proof of residence, if you have booked your ticket with a resident discount.
There could be various reasons why there are no departures from Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsushima (Maeshima) for the date you’ve requested. For example, a temporary timetable change, limited availability or seasonal changes in the timetable.
We recommend checking for alternative dates. Our Deal Finder automatically compares the desired route with alternative routes and dates, offering up-to-date real time options, all in one place.
The best time to book ferries from Hondo (Shimoshima) to Matsushima (Maeshima) is usually as early as possible. By booking in advance, you’ll not only get your tickets at the best available prices, but you’ll also get a better choice of departure times and cabin/seating options.
We’d recommend making your booking at least a few weeks in advance to benefit from the best offers. Bear in mind that prices may vary depending on the season and availability.
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Tucked away in a bay on Shimoshima Island, the largest of the islands that form the Amakusa archipelago off the southern coast of Japan, is the port of Hondo. Found on the jagged coastline of the island’s Amakusa City, this small selection of piers and wharves overlook a sweeping expanse of Shimabara Bay and towards the rolling hills of neighbouring Ueshima Island. The region is famed for its Amakusa pottery made from crystalline stones known as Toseki, which are ground down into clay and then masterfully sculptured into cups and bowls by the hands of local artisans. Such is the homespun beauty of the finished creations; they have been lauded by the government and are regularly shipped to all corners of Japan. The ferry terminal of Hondo, the name a throwback to the city of Hondo that existed in the area before being merged into Amakusa, is located at the foot of the port’s largest undercover jetty. It sits in a prime location near the city centre and is just a 5-minute drive from the bridge that connects Shimoshima with the island of Ueshima. There are plenty of passenger facilities here too, with the check-in building supplied by toilets, a nearby convenience store and a number of vending machines selling food and drink. Though there are a number of transport links in the city, travelling to the port can prove difficult for newcomers unfamiliar with the maze-like nature of the downtown streets and districts. The 324 motorway is one of the major routes through Amakusa, a lengthy, snaking road that passes by the port as it cuts through the city’s heart and then traces the coast of the island’s northern tip. The Amakusa Airport, offering flights to the Japanese mainland, is also found on the outskirts just a 15-minute drive away. On Saturdays, the airport can be reached via a shuttle bus that leaves from a station just outside the harbour. Two ferry routes currently leave from Hondo port a number of times each day. Services operated by Amakusa Takarajima Lines sail north across the waters of Shimabara Bay to the towns of Matushima just over half an hour away on the island of Maejima, and Misumi a little bit further towards the Japanese mainland.
